The answer is WPA3-Personal, as it provides the strongest wireless encryption compatible with Windows 10 and iOS devices. This protocol uses GCMP-256 encryption and Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE), which replaces the vulnerable Pre-Shared Key (PSK) handshake of WPA2, offering robust protection against offline dictionary attacks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of current wireless security standards and their backward compatibility—a common trap is choosing WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3-Enterprise, which require a RADIUS server and are overkill for a small office mix. Remember that WPA3-Personal is the go-to for mixed environments because it supports a transition mode that allows older WPA2 devices to connect while newer ones use the stronger protocol. A helpful memory tip: “Three is the key for security and compatibility—WPA3 keeps the mix secure.”
220-1202 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a security audit at a law firm, the IT manager wants to ensure that all wireless communication is encrypted with the strongest available standard that is also compatible with their mix of Windows 10 laptops and iOS tablets. Which security protocol should you recommend?
Why wrong: WEP is an outdated and easily cracked protocol; it should never be used in a modern environment.
B
WPA2-TKIP
Why wrong: TKIP is a legacy encryption method that is no longer considered secure; WPA2 should use AES-CCMP.
C
WPA3-Personal
WPA3-Personal provides the strongest security for a small office environment without a RADIUS server, and is backward compatible with WPA2 devices.
D
WPA2-Enterprise
Why wrong: While secure, WPA2-Enterprise requires a RADIUS server, which adds complexity and cost; the question asks for the strongest standard compatible with the devices, implying a simpler setup.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
WPA3-Personal
WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi security standard, offering stronger encryption (GCMP-256) and improved authentication (SAE). It is backward compatible with WPA2 devices, making it suitable for mixed environments. This question tests knowledge of current wireless security standards and their compatibility.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
WEP
Why it's wrong here
WEP is an outdated and easily cracked protocol; it should never be used in a modern environment.
✗
WPA2-TKIP
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is a legacy encryption method that is no longer considered secure; WPA2 should use AES-CCMP.
✓
WPA3-Personal
Why this is correct
WPA3-Personal provides the strongest security for a small office environment without a RADIUS server, and is backward compatible with WPA2 devices.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
WPA2-Enterprise
Why it's wrong here
While secure, WPA2-Enterprise requires a RADIUS server, which adds complexity and cost; the question asks for the strongest standard compatible with the devices, implying a simpler setup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: WPA3-Personal — WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi security standard, offering stronger encryption (GCMP-256) and improved authentication (SAE). It is backward compatible with WPA2 devices, making it suitable for mixed environments. This question tests knowledge of current wireless security standards and their compatibility.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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